Indexed book.



Nq. 883,460; PATENTBD MAR. 3,1, 1908.

-W. I. HARP.

INDBXED BOOK. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 20. 1906.y

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.883460. PATENTED MAR.4 A Nq l w. I. HARP. 311908 INDBXED BooK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 1906.

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. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ISAAC HARP, OF GALAX, VIRGINIA.

INDEXED BOOK.

T o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM IsAAo HARP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galax, in the county of Grayson and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Indexed Book, of which the following is a speci* iication. i

This invention relates more particularly to an index for books.

The principal object is to provide a mar ginal index of a novel nature, which will permit a book to be specifically indexed without regard to the number of pages therein, and provides convenient and simple means, whereby any page can be exactly found with ease and expedition.

A further object is to provide simple means, whereby the leaves of a book can be more conveniently handled when the index is being employed, said means being foldable within the book, so that it will not be in the way and is not liable to be injured when the book is not in use.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying draW- ings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a well known type of book, showing the front cover open and broken away, and illustrating the a phabetical index in connection with a marginal page index. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but illustratin the book when opened to one of the intermediate pages. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the book partially opened to another page. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the back page of the book and illustrating the handle plate secured thereto. Fig. 5 is an edge view of a portion of the book.

4 Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the gures of the drawings.

In the particular type of book disclosed, an alphabetical index of the ordinary form and designated generally by the reference nue meral 6 is employed. In rear of this alphabetical index are the pages of the book, and the same/have their free lon `itudinal margins projecting beyond the a phabetical index. The saidpages are provided with one series of, what may be termed, primary notches '7, located in the outer longitudinal `margins of the leaves, and extending from the upper portion of the bookdownwardly.

' Every five leaves of the book are also provided with a set of, what may be termed, secondary notches 8 that extend in an oppo- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. February 20, 1906. Serial No. 302,035.

Patented March 31, 1908.

. site direction to the primary notches. As a result the iirst of every series of five leaves is formed with a primary tab 9, and the other four leaves have secondary tabs 10.

A primary index is employed comprising a series of.consecutive denominational designations which are in effect class designations, in the present embodiment being multiples of tens, as shown. Each of these primary index designations is located` on one of the primary tabs 9, and consequently on every `fifth sheet or page. They extend consecutively as shown from the upper portion of the book downwardly. A plurality of separate secondary indices are also provided. Each of the same comprise a set of denominational designations that are located on a set of the secondary tabs 10 and are associated with the primary index designation that is laced upon the primary tab arranged direct y adjacent to or over these secondary tabs, said secondary designations being consecutive numerals between the adjacent primary designations. These secondary indices extend in an opposite direction to the primary index and they are normally covered by the primary tabs carrying the primary index, as will be a parent by reference to Fig. 1.

It wil of course be understood that each number of the primary index designates the page having the tab carrying such number, and that the secondary index coacting therewith, indicates" the pages between such primary index designation, and the next succeeding one. It is believed the manner 0f using the index will be clear by reference to the first three figures. For instance if it is desired to find page 105, the operator has only to-slide his thumb down the index to the designation 100 of the primary index and then by turning over the leaves this primary or class page 100 is found, as shown in Fig. 2. The thumb is then slipped upwardly to four of the secondary index that is now exposed and upon turning over the freed leaves, pages 104 and 105 will be exposed as will be apparent by reference to Fig. 3. seen that an exceedingly convenient and compact index is provided, whereby particular pages can be speedily, conveniently and specifically found without any necessity of guess-work.

As this invention is ordinarily employed in a book having flexible leaves, but a stift' cover, that project beyond the leaves, diiculty is experienced in quickly grasping the body of leaves for the purpose of using the index to find a page. To overcome this difliculty, a handle element, in the form of a plate 11, is employed that is hinged to the rear side of the last leaf. In the present embodiment of the invention, the hinge consists of a flexible strip 12, one side margin of which is secured to the rear face of the rear leaf, the other side margin being secured to the inner margin of the plate 1l. The plate is thus capable of swinging movement, when swung outwardly having its outer portion projecting beyond the leaves and cover, and

' when swung inwardly being entirely disposed within the book, as shown in Fig. 4. Those who have had experience inusing the marginal indices of books bound in stiff covers that project beyond the edges of the leaves,

.are well aware that the most convenient 'and quickest method of handling the same, when using the index, is to grasp the body of leaves inside the cover and place the thumb upon the particular designation desired. Then by flexing the body of leaves those over the leaf carrying said designation, not being held, will slip from such leaf, leaving the same exposed. It is somewhat difficult to introduce the hand between the body of leaves and back cover, and besides the constant shifting of the hand along the rear leaves soon injures and defaces them. The above described handle plate overcomes the objection for it is arranged directly in rear of the index, and when the book is beingused, it is disposed in projecting relation. Conseuently the bookkeeper has only to grasp t e plate and slightly raise the same, whereupon the lingers may be slipped beneath the body of leaves, and consequently the index may be readily manipulated, as the handle constitutes a bearing along which the hand .may be moved. When not in use, the plate is folded backward out of the way, and is not liable to be injured.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein described invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of' the advantages ofthe invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a book, the combination with a cover vand a series of leaves, the edges of said leaves the leaves and arranged to swing between a position in projecting relation thereto and to the cover and a position inside the outer margins of the leaves and cover.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM ISAAC HARP. Witnesses:

M. L. HENDERSON, W. E. BEAMER. 

